- flowers in our backyard
- I attended a lecture held at our local church on Saturday last week.
- I had a chance to talk with Mrs. U, one of the speakers, after the lecture.
- I had my hair cut two days ago.
- The latter half of this week is a little cooler than the first half.
- I'm thankful for the ice cream I had for dessert last Wednesday.
- I'm thankful for clean towels.
- I'm thankful for a LONG list of things to do every day.
- I'm thankful for my imagination.
Saturday, July 31, 2021
#Ten Things of Thankful: July 31, 2021
Friday, July 30, 2021
#Sky Watch Friday: July 30, 2021
Thursday, July 29, 2021
#SSS: Distraction
Hannah spends hours playing the electronic organ in her room. It is a welcome distraction from her loneliness.
Hannah, in her fifties, has never been married, and she has been living with her elderly father for years since she chose to give up her career as a result of severe depression. Soon after quitting her stressful job, she began to feel better, but she still keeps to herself most of the time.
Friday, July 23, 2021
Thursday, July 22, 2021
SSS: In the Hospital
Saturday, July 17, 2021
#Ten Things of Thankful: July 17, 2021
- The meteorological agency has declared that the rainy season is over. It was much shorter than usual this year.
- I have moved the electronic organ and the portable bed to my 'summer palace', that is, a cooler room downstairs. (No photo available. -- Obviously 'summer palace' is an extreme overstatement.)
- I am thankful for the air conditioner in my 'summer palace.'
- I get up early and enjoy walking along the river when it is cool and comfortable.
- I am thankful for the cold barley tea.
- I am thankful for the refrigerator and the freezer.
- I am thankful for the steamed corn that I had last Wednesday and Thursday.
- I went to the church building very early in the morning (around 5:00 A.M.) last Thursday and cleaned the first floor, since I was on duty this week. Needless to say, there was no one else there. I worked as quietly as possible so as not to disturb the neighbors. I enjoyed being there alone (with God).
- After cleaning the building, I borrowed a book on 1 Peter from the church library. The book is easy to understand, and encouraging.
- I am thankful for the chorale prelude I am going to play at church tomorrow: Beim letzten Abendmahle (The Last Supper), arranged by Johann Gottfried Walther.
Friday, July 16, 2021
Thursday, July 15, 2021
#SSS: Jessica and I
Saturday, July 10, 2021
#Ten Things of Thankful: July 10, 2021
- having survived a busy week
- cleaning the cupboard
- seeing the ophthalmologist last Tuesday
- seeing the dermatologist last Wednesday
- going grocery shopping
- attending the Bible Study meeting last Friday
- sleeping late on a rainy morning
- the umbrella
- the electric fan
- people who make me smile
Friday, July 9, 2021
Thursday, July 8, 2021
#SSS: The fig tree
There was a fig tree in front of the house where I lived in my childhood. In summer, I would volunteer to harvest the fruit. I put the figs in a bowl, and took it to the kitchen. Then I watched my mother make jam, which was tasty.
When I was sixteen, my parents had the tree cut down so that they could have a new house built. I miss the tree, and the homemade jam.
Saturday, July 3, 2021
#Ten Things of Thankful: July 3, 2021
- a new page in the calendar
- flowers in front of our house
- rice and curry with coconut milk, which I cooked last Tuesday
- hearing from a friend the other day
- a coffee break in the morning
- the smell of the orange for breakfast
- the radio series, The Impact of Place, which I enjoyed listening this week
- the chorale prelude I am going to play at church tomorrow
Friday, July 2, 2021
Thursday, July 1, 2021
#SSS: Alternative
They say one should avoid making life-changing decisions while he is suffering from severe depression, but I cannot put it off any more. The sick leave is expiring though I haven't fully recovered yet, and the alternative is returning to work or giving up my career for good.
I had believed I was cut out to be a teacher, and I worked enthusiastically, until depression began to haunt me. I don't want to quit my dream job, which is worthwhile and rewarding, and I will be able to make a contribution if... when I get well. My head is telling me not to give up, but my heart is crying that I have had enough of debilitating depression, which may have been caused by work-related stress, though I am reluctant to admit it. I am drowning in a cascade of what-if questions and worst-case scenarios.